diff --git a/common.mk b/common.mk
index 43949059..241576fc 100644
--- a/common.mk
+++ b/common.mk
@@ -140,8 +140,11 @@ CFLAGS += -fprofile-arcs -ftest-coverage
 LIBS += -lgcov
 endif
 
+V ?= 0
+ifeq ($(V),0)
 # Don’t print command lines which are run
 .SILENT:
+endif
 
 # Always remake the following targets
 .PHONY: install clean dist distclean